Mail: Benteke on Reds radar

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Aston Villa's season could get even worse as some of the Premier League's top clubs are showing an interest in their prized asset Christian Benteke.

Champions Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal have all had their interests piqued by the Belgian's impressive start to his Premier League career.

Benteke has already scored 11 goals for the club so far, and his fine form has not gone unnoticed.

Paul Lambert might be resigned to losing Benteke should the Premier League strugglers go down, but the Scot may be fighting a losing battle to hold on to the 22-year-old even if Villa stay up.

Spurs have shown the strongest interest in the striker, but he is extremely unlikely to leave the club before the January transfer window closes on Thursday, according to the Mirror.

Benteke is determined to help Lambert, who signed him for £7.5million from Genk, avoid the drop.

Villa fans will be concerned given the history of owner Randy Lerner when it comes to the club's top players. He has cashed in on the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, James Milner and Gareth Barry in recent years.

Benteke signed a four-year contract last summer and has been favoured - alongside the promising Andreas Weimann - ahead of Darren Bent.

Benteke, who grew up as an Arsenal fan, signed a four-year contract at Villa Park last summer after being watched by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.